Founded in 2014, Yacht Harbour has now gone through nearly 3 years of rapid growth, packed with milestones and interesting events. In this list are 11 things about Yacht Harbour that are not widely known, but we thought were interesting enough to share.
#1 Yacht Harbour started as an Instagram channel
Even though Yacht Harbour's initial plan was to build a web platform for a marketplace of yachts for sale, the company started an Instagram account in August 2014 to get some sort of traction, ahead of the launch of its website in December of that year.
At a time when no yachting media companies were on the platform, the strategy proved successful and saw Yacht Harbour get to 10,000 followers in under 4 months. This, in turn, proved instrumental to getting the first users to Yacht Harbour.
#2 We power instant results for a Top 5 search engine
Another little known fact about Yacht Harbour is that the company's index powers an instant result snippet for search engine, DuckDuckGo. One of the 5 available search settings on an iPhone, DuckDuckGo is a search engine built with privacy in mind.
Any user searching for a particular yacht on the platform, will see on top of search results an image of the yacht with it's main specifications, which DuckDuckGo displays using an API built by Yacht Harbour on top of its database for the search engine.
#3 News coverage was first meant as a content marketing play
Even though our audience is now spread evenly across its superyacht marketplace and its news section, Yacht Harbour's editorial coverage was started only in October 2015 to act as a content marketing vehicle for its search platform.
Despite these plans, news coverage rapidly evolved and grew to serve the purposes of a true media company, which Yacht Harbour has since become. Stories broken by our news department are now often used as sources by international media such as the BBC, CNBC and others.
#4 We built a chat bot to answer any yachting question
Developed in a wave of growing excitement over chat bots, Brook became the first chat bot in yachting that used a combination of machine learning, natural language recognition and big data to answer any question related to yacht.
Although Brook was since retired due to a lack of users, Yacht Harbour did manage to build a working version, answering over 80% of asked questions. Its original interface can still be seen here. When live it was even accessible from the Telegram messaging platform.
#5 Our content can be found on Forbes and Business Insider
As part of its content distribution strategy, Yacht Harbour struck deals with Business Insider to distribute part of its English-language content and to contribute stories to the French and Russian versions of Forbes.
With news stories around yachting and articles trying to open up the field to a more general audience, this content was read over 2 million times so far in 2017.
#6 We ran a crowdfunding campaign in our first year
Far from today's peak of attention around ICOs, Yacht Harbour ran a crowdfunding campaign in 2015 as an experiment, ahead of the launch of its charter marketplace to offer heavily discounted deals and lifetime advantages for participants.
Through the campaign, Yacht Harbour raised just under $3,000 from a series of contributors. The value of some the items offered then by Yacht Harbour has grown over 1,000x today.
#7 We get 10 million impressions of our content every month
Having rapidly grown from the 23 visitors Yacht Harbour on the day of it's launch, the company's combined channels now reach over 10 million impressions every month. This figure includes Yacht Harbour's website traffic, social media reach and audience on third-party platforms.
#8 There are sometimes easter eggs on Yacht Harbour
Sometimes overtaken by the holiday spirit, Yacht Harbour's homepage can sometimes change to adopt a special skin for limited times as seen above. So far, the company has dressed up its website for Halloween, Christmas and New Year's Eve but other events may soon be coming.
#9 One million minutes are spent watching Yacht Harbour's videos monthly
Playing an increasingly important role for any media company, videos have been a key to Yacht Harbour's success as well with over 800 days worth of videos being watched on our platform every month. The latest Black Pearl video alone reached over 3 million impressions on our network.
#10 Our Facebook page outranks its nearest competition 10 to 1
Owing much of its success to social media, Yacht Harbour has always tried to dominate the space in the superyacht sector and Facebook is currently the most reflective of this paradigm. Whereas Yacht Harbour gets 36,500 engagements on its page every week, the nearest competition currently sits at 3,300 engagements per week.
#11 It took us over 20,000 hours to build the Timeline platform
A major step forward in yacht search, Yacht Harbour's Timeline platform was launched in May 2017 after over 20,000 hours of research. The platform, compared to a Bloomberg terminal for yachting, lets its subscribers track the market in real time, discover the story behind any yacht and find the best deals on the market with big data.
Photos by Julien Hubert
The 48.79m Chasseur is now for sale by Northrop and Johnson Yacht Broker Wes Sanford. The 48.79m superyacht, built by Christensen in 2017. With opulent interior styling from a 2020 refit and a recent 2022 winter refit by renowned designer Patrick Knowles, Chasseur offers a host of top-tier amenities.Her interior, described as "Zen-like," presents meticulous attention to detail. The sophisticated main salon, bathed in natural light through expansive windows, provides abundant space for socializing and entertainment, featuring a large flat-screen TV. The adjoining formal dining salon, with a custom Patrick Knowles Designs table, comfortably seats 12 guests and includes an additional TV and a convenient day head.Chasseur can accommodate up to 13 guests across six beautifully appointed staterooms. Each room, accessible by elevator, offers en-suite baths, individual climate controls, and blackout drapes. The full-beam master suite on the main deck features a king-size berth, vanity, flat-screen TV, and an immaculate green onyx his-and-hers bath. The VIP stateroom boasts a walk-around king-size bed, vanity, large flat-screen TV, and a stunning green onyx bath. Other staterooms include two king guest staterooms and two guest cabins with full-size and single beds, along with a queen bed with a Pullman.Equipped with Quantum Zero-Speed stabilizers and having undergone a comprehensive five-year ABS survey, Chasseur holds distinctive US registration with full Commercial Compliance, allowing global charter operations without cruising permits or pilot requirements. Caterpillar power and three robust Kohler generators can be found in her engine room.Chasseur's skylounge offers plush seating, casual dining, a marble bar, and a 75' framed TV with surround sound. The exterior decks, adorned with beautiful teak wood, feature various amenities, including social seating for 12 guests on the aft deck, alfresco dining for 12 on the skylounge deck, and a sundeck divided into three distinct spaces. The sundeck hosts a private 10-person hot tub, a large flat-screen TV, a full-service bar, and ample seating, ensuring a delightful experience for guests. Chasseur's tender and toy inventory, renewed in 2022, promises endless on-water adventures.The motor yacht asking price USD32,750,000.Credits: Northrop and Johnson
October 3, 2023
At the 32nd edition of the Monaco Yacht Show, held from September 27th to the 30th, The Italian Sea Group showcased worldwide premieres, unveiled innovative projects, and announced strategic partnerships.At Quai Rainier Ier, TISG's stand became a focal point, attracting owners, global brokers, industry press, and investors. Exclusive previews included:Perini Navi Art Explorer: A 47m sailing catamaran, among the world's largest, had the honor of hosting Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Carolina of Monaco.Tecnomar This Is It: A 43m motor catamaran that stood out for its futuristic design.Admiral Silver Star: A 55m motor yacht distinguished by its Giorgio Armani interior.Admiral Kenshō: An award-winning 75m yacht.Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 project: Showcasing two iconic models.At the press conference on September 26th at the Yacht Club de Monaco, TISG not only presented these vessels but also unveiled three new projects. Additionally, a noteworthy collaboration with Studio Fuksas and Luca Dini was announced for the design of the 80m Admiral yacht, Sea Flower. This project promises groundbreaking innovations, setting new standards in architecture and yachting.The Italian Sea Group is a global operator in the luxury yachting industry, listed on Euronext Milan (“EXM”) and active in the construction and refit of motor yachts and sailing yachts up to 140 meters. The Company, led by Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Costantino, operates on the market with the brands Admiral, renown for elegant and prestigious yachts, Tecnomar, Perini Navi, and Picchiotti; the Company has a business unit, NCA Refit, that manages the maintenance and refit services for yachts and mega yachts with a length over 60 meters. Credits: MYS; The Italian Sea Group
October 3, 2023
U-Boat Worx, the submersible manufacturer, unveiled its latest marvel, the Super Sub, at the Monaco Yacht Show, marking a new era in marine technology. This submersible seamlessly blends elegance, performance, and cutting-edge engineering, setting a benchmark for underwater adventures. Credits Alessandro De AngelisWith 100 kW of thrust, the Super Sub achieves speeds up to 10 knots, surpassing the cruising speed of a bottlenose dolphin and outpacing average submersibles. Roy Heijdra, U-Boat Worx's Marketing Manager, emphasized that this speed enables extraordinary interactions with marine life, positioning the Super Sub as the fastest private submersible globally.To optimize underwater visibility, a clear fully acrylic pressure hull is positioned at the front, offering an unobstructed 360-degree view. The SHARC Controller synchronizes hydrofoils and thrusters, facilitating thrilling rides and agile maneuvers. An auto-heading system maintains the sub's course automatically.The U-Boat Worx Information System (UIS), accessible through a touchscreen display, provides essential data for effortless diving. Safety remains paramount, with DNV certification, a 'maximum depth protection' feature, and a Safety Buoy marking the sub's position. In emergencies, a drop weight enhances buoyancy, and each sub, including the Super Sub, carries a minimum of 96 hours of life support.The Super Sub, embodying U-Boat Worx's commitment to innovation and safety, promises to redefine underwater exploration, offering not just a view but an immersive experience in the heart of marine action."Our team has poured their hearts and expertise into crafting the Super Sub, and we are beyond excited to reveal it to the world at the Monaco Yacht Show," says Roy Heijdra. "The Super Sub represents the pinnacle of underwater luxury and performance, and we can't wait for everyone to experience the thrill of exploring the depths with this extraordinary submersible."Credits Anna LisenkoThe Super Sub displayed at the Monaco Yacht Show will be delivered to its client at the end of 2023, while the next unit is scheduled for delivery in October 2024 and is currently listed for sale.Credits: U-Boat Worx
October 3, 2023
Evo Yachts Evo R+ boasting an impressive length of nearly 18 meters and a beam of 5.31 meters, and became a testament to the shipyard's commitment to innovative design and versatile functionality.The yacht, a proud member of the R line, showcases Evo Yachts' dedication to conviviality and versatility. With an enclosed main deck and a groundbreaking stern platform, the Evo R+ is tailored for extended cruises, delivering both style and comfort.Crafted for modern yacht enthusiasts who appreciate a sporty and streamlined aesthetic, the Evo R+ features an enclosed main deck with expansive interiors, ensuring a heightened level of comfort. Designed in collaboration with Valerio Rivellini, the interiors reflect a dynamic yet sophisticated style, balancing dynamism with onboard luxury.The yacht's profile is accentuated by an edgy black aluminum top, reminiscent of sports car design. The helm station, enveloped in windows, provides a 360-degree view, while openings allow for natural ventilation. The main deck is flooded with natural light, hosting a versatile lounge, well-appointed galley, and dining table, creating an inviting space for conviviality.The stern area is a revelation, offering a spacious sun pad, convertible into a table, and a large bar unit with a fridge, ice maker, and sink. The innovative platform, exclusive to the Evo R+, facilitates easy water entry and tender or jet ski operations.Below deck, the Evo R+ maintains its dynamic style with clean lines and sophisticated materials, exemplified by the warm Alcantara fabrics and a palette centered around white, teak, and carbon. Forged carbon fiber enhances the sporty allure of the interior decor.The lower deck comprises three cabins, including the forward owner's cabin, two guest cabins aft, two bathrooms, and a dining area. The independently assessed crew cabin is situated forward.Powering the Evo R+ are two Volvo Penta IPS 950s, delivering an impressive top speed of around 33 knots and a cruising speed of 27 knots.The Evo Yachts shipyard is based near Naples. She was born in 2014 from a fortunate encounter between Blu Emme Yachts and the Neapolitan yacht designer Valerio Rivellini. The heart and entrepreneurship that kick-started EVO originated from Blu Emme Yachts, a luxury yachts refitting company. Blu Emme was created in 2013 by the Mercuri brothers, a family whose entrepreneurial experience spans different industries.Credits: Evo Yachts
October 2, 2023
Denison Yachting's European operations celebrated a successful inaugural year at the Monaco Yacht Show, shedding light on achievements and future prospects in the superyacht sales and charter market in Europe. AresteasUnder the guidance of Director Jeremy Roche, Denison Europe showcased impressive growth, including a recent move to a significantly larger Monaco office, now accommodating a team of ten. Roche shared that the new Le Panorama office is three times the size of its predecessor.Bob Denison (photo by Tim Foster)On the sales front, Denison Europe marked the sale of 13 yachts in the past year, amounting to an estimated €70 million. The company currently holds 21 central listings in Europe, with a combined value of €90 million, including two new builds – an already delivered Princess Y85 and a 50m Dynamiq scheduled for delivery in March 2025.Jeremy Roche (photo by Tim Foster)The charter division also witnessed expansion, with Charter Management becoming part of Denison's European portfolio in January 2023. Denison now manages eight charter yachts in Europe, with the 51m Yildizlar Aresteas serving as the flagship. Reflecting on the recent charter season, Roche acknowledged some challenges but expressed optimism for 2024 with increased bookings and inquiries.Princess Y85While acknowledging the inherent unpredictability of the market, Roche stated, "The outlook currently looks positive." Despite adjustments from the market's peak in 2021/22, there is sustained demand, high inquiries, and a rise in confirmed Central Agreements. The company is eyeing expansion with potential locations in Palma, London, Istanbul, and Dubai.AresteasDenison has long been a leader in the yachting industry with a rich family history dating back to 1948, and the start of Broward Marine in Fort Lauderdale. Today, the company provides complete yachting services worldwide, and operates out of over 20 waterfront offices with a team of 90+ licensed and bonded yacht brokers. Credits: Denison Yachting
October 2, 2023